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As financial institutions targeted China’s economic growth at 8% for 2021, we expect stronger performance from China auto ABS and RMBS this year.
However, performance had not returned to pre-pandemic period, with regional economic disruption and falling consumer activity caused by a recent resurgence of Covid-19 cases in some cities and the reintroduction of containment measures, including clamping down on going home during the Chinese New Year holiday.
Despite the covid-19 pandemic, China’s total ABS issuance in 2020 still rose 23% year-on-year, reaching 2.9 trillion yuan (USD444 billion). This was mostly issued by corporates backed by account receivables.
Issuance by financial institutions fell by around 13%, due to lower issuance of RMBS and credit card transactions. Passenger vehicle sales registered a mild decrease of 6% in 2020, which supported auto ABS issuance on par with the 2019 level.
Therefore, China’s auto loan ABS is expected to remain flat and modest, supported by low-single-digit growth in auto sales over the next few years and a continuous uptick in auto loan penetration rate.
China’s auto industry is showing greater momentum than we anticipated, suggesting a different recovery path to that in Europe and North America. We view China as the first country to emerge from the pandemic and is the only market that is able to restore auto sales to 2019 volumes by the end of 2022.
As for the new China auto ABS issuance, Toyota Motor Finance plans to launch its Toyota Glory 2021 phase auto loan securitization this week. The originator will open the onshore auto ABS market after the Lunar New Year break with a Rmb5bn ($774m) transaction — its largest to date.


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KANABO Research Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kanabo Group Plc, known for research and development, and technology design, today announced a partnership with leading biotechnology research company Pomicell Ltd.
The partnership provides exclusivity in Kanabo’s primary markets for cannabis products and allows Kanabo’s medical cannabis and consumer wellbeing CBD formulas to be submitted to Pomicell’s multi-disciplinary team of biologists and research experts for analysis using its ground-breaking POMI AI platform.
This announcement represents the first time this technology will be applied to medicinal cannabis and wellbeing CBD formulas, having previously been utilised primarily for traditional pharmaceutical products.
Pomicell’s deep-learning AI technology will cross reference the active ingredients within each formula against more than 40 million clinical data and scientific research resources to identify specific indication-target associations.
The partnership’s findings will highlight potential areas for Kanabo to lead the way in creating new products for specific indications via Pomicell’s online platform. Kanabo customers will be able to review ingredients within formulas and identify which are best suited to their specific medical, wellness, or lifestyle needs
Avihu Tamir, CEO Kanabo Group Plc, explains: “For the first time, we will provide our customers with a resource that transparently supplies them with information about what the product is optimized for.
“Secondly, it’s a step closer to providing personalised Kanabo solutions for our customers. With this analysis, we will develop formulas with the active ingredients to suit specific indications for medical and wellness needs.
“Ultimately, this partnership is a further commitment by Kanabo Group to invest in science-based evidence for its products to continuously improve the way we develop them, support our customers, and create products that are effective to the consumer and patients’ needs.
Boaz Buchandler, CEO of Pomicell Ltd, said: “The opportunity this new partnership offers with Kanabo to improve the way customers and patients engage with CBD and medicinal cannabis products is truly exciting.
“With our technology and expertise, we will break Kanabo formulations down to their active ingredient levels and then cross reference each one against more than 40 million clinical trial and scientific data resources.
“Our POMI AI system can do this in minutes, connecting each active ingredient with known and proven indication and effects benefits.
“Not only will Kanabo customers, for the first time, be able to identify formulations best suited to their individual needs, but this detailed analysis will provide the foundations for Kanabo to change the way CBD and medical cannabis formulas are created.
“Kanabo are the perfect partner to lead this new direction with us, and we’re looking forward to giving patients and customers more control over their CBD and medical cannabis choices than ever before.”

domain: news


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TalkTalk has announced that its remaining off-net transactional TalkTalk TV users will become Rakuten TV customers.
The move largely affects people who do not take TalkTalk broadband and TV bundles and means they will gain access to all the content available on Rakuten TV.
Subscribers will be automatically moved to Rakuten TV, which according to TalkTalk, has been "carefully selected as the service for off-net transactional customers to continue enjoying their previously purchased films and TV programmes".
Off-net transactional users will be able to watch content they have purchased through Rakuten TV where available.
Meanwhile, new content in 4K HDR can be purchased across a number of compatible Smart TVs.
"TalkTalk will continue to offer a great TV service to its broadband and TV subscribers who remain unaffected," the provider said.
However, TalkTalk broadband and TV customers who were either former blinkbox users or TalkTalk TV Store users before they signed up to a TalkTalk broadband and TV plan may also be affected if they have not synced accounts.


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Connecting You with the Latest Marketing Tips and Trends.
Despite what Justin Bieber might think, young people do not rule the world, and they certainly don’t rule the marketplace. With the number of American adults over the age of 65 who use the Internet and email having recently passed the 50% mark for the first time, reaching 53% in April 2012, marketers across industries are rethinking the ways in which they can reach — and target — these avid and oft-affluent consumers. And not just seniors, but the “mature market” as a whole, which is defined as marketing to those 55 and over. The Pew Internet & American Life Project calls this milestone especially significant considering in August 2011, the number of consumers over the age of 65 who were online was at 41%. That kind of growth is notable. But so are the other ways in which the tide is shifting in advertising and in-store marketing. Fashion and luxury labels such as Bulgari and Lanvin are but two brands pulling away from the fountain of youth by featuring older models in current campaigns. Some say the shift in the fashion industry is a response to airbrushing and cosmetic surgery, but others argue what marketers across sectors are discovering on their own: an aging consumer base needs and responds to campaigns that inspire them by speaking to them.
Maybe I’m just blogging out loud, but it seems like for marketers “growing up” requires gregariousness and gusto. None of us are getting any younger, which makes mature marketing not just the wave of the future, but the future itself.
The mature market is as substantial as it is, well, substantial; in 2008, the entirety of the Baby Boomer generation reached 50. Now, four years later, it’s safe to say that demographic has safely entered what marketers call mature. While marketing to this demographic used to be dominated by healthcare and pharmaceutical brands (and in some ways, it still is), it’s also now brimming with a different kind of life. One reason: we now have a longer life expectancy. Another: older consumers simply don’t view themselves in the same light as generations past. Today’s mature market is full of “cougars” and “silver foxes,” consumers who equate maturing with sexiness. That explains why cosmetic brands such as Estée Lauder, Lancôme and L’Oréal have tapped older models to sell their goods. But marketers outside beauty and fashion shouldn’t ignore the most obvious reason to target mature consumers: they have money, and often, they have more discretionary income than their younger counterparts. Of course, they also have wisdom on their side, so the campaigns that succeed target them on an emotional level. That may pose a challenge for younger advertising and marketing pros, but be assured: silver is the new gold.


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~ Composed by Sukumar Dutta, the soulful melody marks the launch of the first ever dedicated music video for a Gujarati web series ~
After announcing India’s first ever Gujarati rom-com web series, SonyLIV has rolled out a romantic music video for its original web series ‘Kacho Papad Pako Papad’. The announcement marks the debut of a dedicated music video that has been launched for a Gujarati web show.
Titled ‘Aadat Che Tu’, the music video captivates listeners with its poignant lyrics written by lyricist Bharat Kumar Joshi, which is well complemented by the soulful melody composed by renowned music director Sukumar Dutta.
‘Aadat Che Tu’ is an expression of the protagonist Vipul’s endless love for Sanjana, his romantic interest on Kacho Papad, Pako Papad. The video produced by Hasmukh Gandhi perfectly captures the underlying essence of love.
SonyLIV offers an extensive library of diverse and high-quality original content offerings. With the roll-out of captivating videos and songs such as ‘Aadat Che Tu’, it is creating a deeper connect with its audience and enhancing their engagement with its web series, besides pioneering some new initiatives..
For a glimpse of this music video, visit: //bit.ly/2rrpRpq
Uday Sodhi, EVP and Head – Digital Business, SonyLIV
“Our web series ‘Kacho Papad, Pako Papad’, has received a phenomenal response from our Gujarati-speaking audiences. Just like Bollywood films create a deeper impact and connect with cinema lovers through songs and music albums, our endeavour is to enhance the popularity of our premium original content and engage our viewers through vibrant music videos. Music videos for original, regional content is a first in the industry and as the digital platform of Sony Pictures Networks India, we are delighted to pioneer this initiative.”
Sukumar Dutta, music composer
“I have composed songs in several languages earlier, this is the first time I have composed a song in Gujarati. It was a wonderful experience which allowed me to experiment with various musical nuances and arrangements to create something beautiful. I am confident it will be a hit with the Gujarati audiences. I want to thank SonyLIV for giving me this brilliant opportunity.”
SonyLIV is the first premium Video on demand (VOD) service by Sony Pictures Networks’ (SPN) providing multi-screen engagement for users on all devices. Launched in January 2013, it enables users to discover 20 years of rich content from the network channels of Sony Pictures Networks’ Pvt. Ltd. It also provides a rich array of movies, strong line-up of events across all sports, shows, music, product reviews.
With 30 million app downloads so far, SonyLIV is the first amongst its competition to provide original exclusive premium content. As a true pioneer in its space, SonyLIV launched India’s first-ever original show exclusively for the online platform earlier this year. With #LoveBytes, it became the country’s first digital video-on- demand (VOD) platform to introduce an innovation of this nature. SonyLIV also launched YOLO – You Only Live Once, the first-ever regional language web-series on an OTT platform in India and LIV FIT the first-ever health and wellness segment on an OTT platform in the country. In October 2016, SonyLIV also introduced LIV Kids as its premium content especially designed for children.
Streaming the biggest football tournament of 2016 – UEFA European Championship 2016 and making SonyLIV the most preferred online destination for football fans. With 20 million hits from highly engaged urban sports millennials and 90 million interactions.
About Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN)
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation which owns and operates the Sony Entertainment network of television channels. The network has been awarded the elite title of ‘Aon Best Employers India’ in the 2017 edition in recognition of SPN’s unique workplace culture and exceptional people practices.
Sony Pictures Networks India is in its 22nd year of operations in India.


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A new analyze by Magna, Teads and Challenge Drawdown confirms shoppers are relying on manufacturers to produce a distinct, tangible and persuasive vision — backed by substantive action — to tutorial them toward a lot more sustainable life.
Currently, MAGNA — the financial investment and intelligence arm
of IPG Mediabrands — produced a review
executed in partnership with Challenge Drawdown and
cloud-primarily based, omnichannel promoting system Teads to superior have an understanding of
consumer views on sustainability, specially as it relates to the
continued boundaries that avoid a lot more sustainable life.
Sustainability Speaks: Breaking the Barrier of Weather Interaction
explores how brand names can aid bridge these limitations and how advertisers can extra
efficiently communicate their sustainability targets although also supporting model
MAGNA surveyed 9,112 persons in the United States, the United Kingdom and
Australia, and held five aim groups in the US. Together with echoing new investigation from Sustainable
on the most frequent, ongoing barriers to client adoption of far more sustainable
practices and lifestyles (expenditure and lack of access), the analyze observed that
irrespective of these barriers, people keep on being motivated to make certain a far better long term — with
99 % of individuals agreeing that they can be enthusiastic to take sustainable
“The climate crisis is, in element, a interaction disaster,” mentioned Jonathan Foley,
Ph.D., Government Director
of Task Drawdown. “We already have the answers we need to have to turn issues
close to but we are nonetheless paralyzed by misinformation,
and the lack of will to act. We need to have a apparent and powerful vision to shift
forward — a eyesight of a better foreseeable future, where we arrive with each other to prevent weather
adjust, and make a superior entire world for all. That could adjust the environment.”
Corporate Political Responsibility in an Ecosystem of Distrust
As US politics become increasingly polarized, models are still left wondering regardless of whether and how to interact. How can they simultaneously challenge the standing quo, align their influences with brand name values and commitments, and steer clear of the dangers of retribution? Sign up for us for an interactive workshop to examine putting the Erb Principles for Company Political Duty into practice, review new investigate from Porter Novelli on stakeholder perceptions, and listen to how practitioners are employing non-partisan rules to join in this difficult surroundings — Monday, Oct. 16 at SB’23 San Diego.
Additional vital conclusions affirm the crucial for brand names to be element of the
conversation: 77 per cent of respondents explained they required manufacturers to get a stance
on sustainability. Additionally, 75 percent relatively or strongly agreed that if
manufacturers took meaningful motion on sustainability, it would have a great
impact on the natural environment and 35 p.c would be motivated to act, if they see
brand names have, far too.
A brand that provides tangible, relevant details in advertising — this kind of as a statistic on how much water was saved in production — scores superior than ambiguous messaging. Defining sustainability by itself, a wide term that can change by products category, tends to make a variation in aiding individuals align all around a company’s actions.
The analyze also rated which channels consumers favor additional when acquiring
sustainability messaging. Promoting, at 66 %, was the exceptional
channel adopted by social media (62 p.c), newsletters (57
and other brand name associates (52 per cent).
But advertising and marketing by itself is also in the scorching seat, many thanks to its
until finally-just lately-unchecked carbon footprint — initiatives these as Scope3 and Advert
have emerged to support guarantee the local climate impacts of the messengers no extended
undermine their sustainability messaging.
“Sustainability tactics are very good for business enterprise, with innovation, transparency,
and facts key for brands to bolster their purchaser interactions extended
time period,” additional Neala Brown,
SVP of System & Insights at Teads. “While brands should simplicity consumer
hesitations toward adopting a sustainable way of life and supplied marketing as an
best channel for that messaging, we are simultaneously functioning with our manufacturer
companions to lower their personal electronic carbon footprint with supply chain and
media optimization through direct publisher relationships.”
Heading ahead, in addition to reining in the actual physical impacts of advertisement
makes would do effectively to concentration on two features of their messaging:
The full study can be observed


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(The Center Square) – Virginia businesses have expressed concern over the state of the economy and recent news about the country entering into a recession has only exacerbated these worries.
“There [aren’t] a lot of optimistic views … at this point,” Julia Hammond, the Virginia director of the National Federation of Independent Business, told The Center Square. The NFIB is the largest small business association in the country.
Hammond said optimism from business owners has continued to decrease in its national surveys and currently sits at the lowest point since the surveys began in 1974. She said expectations go down every month and there’s not a lot of hope among business owners.
Although President Joe Biden’s administration has questioned the use of the term “recession,” despite the nation having negative GDP growth in two consecutive quarters, Hammond said that businesses “view it as a recession.”
Businesses are facing a lot of hardships, which include a workforce shortage and higher costs for virtually everything, according to Hammond. She said businesses are paying higher wages for the same positions as costs for goods and services also climb. She said businesses are facing these higher costs without equitable increases in revenue because people are not spending as much money.
“Inflation is absolutely the number one concern because it impacts absolutely everything,” Hammond said.
Brett Vassey, the president and CEO of the Virginia Manufacturers Association said his industry also recognizes the reality of a recession.
“Manufacturers already understood that we were in a recessionary period and looking for public policy changes that would take us out of it quickly,” Vassey told The Center Square. “State leaders are going to have to be the messengers [of] hope for [the country’s] small manufacturers and working families.”
GDP went down by 0.9% nationally during the second quarter of 2022. During the first quarter, GDP shrank by 1.6%.


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It was simply a matter of time when the new generation of the most elegant SUV in Toyota’s lineup is arriving. And it will be the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser. What’s more, it changes 200 Series and looks like Series 300. The change will cause modifications for the whole lineup, although Japanese and European versions are various from the one present in the United States. Now, the 2021 Land Cruiser 300 is going to be extremely comparable for all markets. Whatsoever, the main source of power in the US will remain a 5.7-liter V8. There are likewise some rumors about cooperation with Subaru and possible Boxer unit for the LC.
The styling of the premium SUV is old. Well, the model is more than ten years old. Still, it handles to stay up to date with modern competitors. Whatsoever, the upgrade is required, outside and inside, and make certain that 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 is going to deliver it. The SUV will remain the eight-seat model with lots of area both for travelers and cargo.
What’s New for 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser?
Well, whatever. The upcoming redesign will turn the premium SUV upside down. Whatsoever, changes are not going to impact the general qualities– LC stays the high-end premium model with the very best combination of high-end and practicality. Off-road capabilities are hard to match. Only a real 4 × 4 off-roaders can compete with Land Cruiser. There are rumors that the new 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser will utilize some features from the TRD Pro bundle readily available for the new Sequoia SUV.
The SUV is reliable and durable. It provides whatever. However, the company needs to modernize the interior and exterior of the vehicle. It went through a couple of facelifts and revisits. Still, a total overhaul and radical cuts need to refresh the look, security, and convenience.
Engines and Rumors
Under the hood of the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser remains the same 5.7-liter V8 engine. This is the largest drivetrain the Japanese company is currently utilizing. It is capable of providing 380 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. With the special drivetrain system, the Land Cruiser is unstoppable on and off the road. Such a level of luxury is hard to match. Still, there is room for improvements, so the Fox shocks and suspension can make LC even more aggressive. Fuel economy is not generous. However, wanting what the SUV is using, that is not a problem for buyers going to invest money for Land Cruiser.
Reports are stating the new generation of the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser might get a new drivetrain. First, there is a diesel unit. Well, it looks like Toyota provided up from these strategies, and the carmaker thinks about the hybrid motor, instead of the diesel. Sooner or later on, these will become history, while the engines with electric support have lower emissions. However, once again, 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser is pretty big, and we still don’t have such huge rigs with hybrid or PHEV configurations. The most interesting story we might hear is the partnership between Toyota and Subaru which will result with 2021 Land Cruiser 300 ending up with Boxer engine. Well, the largest unit Subaru is making is a 2.5-l four-cylinder. LC would require a number of these to match the output its buyers get utilized to.
2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Redesign
Designers will have a lot of work before the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser steps into the market. The new generation is bringing the new styling language. We can see spy images of the colony Cruiser Prado (mid-size SUV for Asia and Europe). However, the routine LC is still not found. On the other hand, a Japanese publication published the photo of something we believe it might be the 2021 Land Cruiser 300. Still, there are lots of distinctions between the edition for this part of the world and the United States model. Whatsoever, the SUV for the United States is going through a big redesign, but we still do not have spy pictures to predict changes.
When Be Will 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Available?
The cost of the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser will increase with the new generation on its way. However, already in the premium area, the Japanese company can’t press it too much greater. Currently, LC costs $85,000. Its main competitors, Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, begin lower. Well, the Land Cruiser 300 in the US is not going to offer a lot of alternatives for upgrades. The new SUV will debut late next year, or even in the first quarter of 2021.
Incoming search terms:
- land cruiser 2021
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The market for smart home technology products may have won over early adopters, but an article in IOTevolutionworld.com points out that these products haven’t yet been able to fully enter the mass-market.
Perceived barriers include the complexity of this technology and device pricing. To become more appealing to the mass market, manufacturers need to ensure their products deliver real value or else will need to lower prices without affecting the quality of these devices. Smart home devices should be easy to use and integrate into the home. The article highlights the three areas where smart home technology can be useful.
The first is awareness, particularly as people live increasingly busy lives and may not actually be at home that much. Smart home technology provides homeowners with the ability to closely monitor their homes and to know what’s going on. One example is smart cameras with built-in facial recognition that are able to send an alert to parents when kids come home from school or when someone unknown comes to the door. These devices can be programmed to only alert users if something happens that is out of the ordinary.
The second is peace of mind which is often associated with smart home security devices. How often have you left home and wondered if you remember to unplug the iron or turn off the oven? Having connected devices makes it easy to find out the answers almost instantly without either worrying about your home or feeling that you need to go home just to check all is well.
The third is entertainment which has been a major draw for smart technology users. Devices such as Google Home and Alexa provide a lot of features, most of which are just for entertainment. But features that allow you to monitor your pet’s activities while you are away from home using Wi-Fi cameras can prove equally entertaining.
Making a home more energy efficient and improving its security are often primary concerns for people considering integrating smart technology into their homes. However, peace of mind and knowing your family is safe are far more powerful reasons than being able to adjust your smart thermostat from your smartphone.


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Despite uncertainties around whether or not the Calgary Stampede will be able to put on the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” this year, the Stampede Lotteries are back and better than ever in 2021.
The Stampede Lotteries have always been a big part of the July event, and after the pandemic threw a wrench in their plans last year, the Lotteries have returned with more than 100 prizes valued at over $2.2 million.
“After being forced to put our plans on hold in 2020, we were determined to make the 2021 Calgary Stampede Lotteries greater than ever,” Jason Azmier, Chair, Calgary Stampede Lotteries committee, said in a news release.
According to the news release, to celebrate 70 years of supporting local charities, this year’s Calgary Stampede Lotteries include the most valuable prizes ever offered.
The two-storey, 2,490 square foot Rotary Dream Home by Homes by Avi has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, and comes with a bonus $100,000 cash.
- See also:
Also introduced to the 2021 Stampede Lotteries is the new Kinsmen Lottery, which is worth more than a million dollars and features eight grand prizes, including:
- 2021 GMC Sierra Denali 3500HD and 2021 Montana High Country 376FL fifth wheel trailer valued at $231,134
- 2021 GMC Sierra AT4 2500 Crew Cab valued at $100,089
- 2021 GMC Yukon Denali valued at $90,387
- 2021 South Bay S222FCR 3.0 pontoon boat valued at $79,693
- 2021 GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab valued at $54,697
- 2021 Indian Motorcycle Challenger valued at $36,224
- 2021 Polaris RANGER XP 1000 side by side by ride command valued at $24,989
- $100,000 cash
Along with the big-ticket items, there will be two Golden Tee golf games, one digital jukebox, two hot tubs, WestJet gift cards, and kayak packages up for grabs, among a number of other prizes.
Stampede Lotteries is also looking to give one lucky Albertan the chance to become a millionaire in July. Tickets for the Stampede Million 50/50 are on sale now, with a maximum jackpot of $2 million.
Ticket purchases support the Stampede and the Calgary community. In partnership with the Kinsmen Club of Calgary and the Rotary Club of Calgary, over $28 million has been shared with local charities in the past 10 years, directly benefitting thousands of people in the city.
“Purchasing a ticket makes a difference in the lives of so many people in our community at a time of great need,” said Azmier.
Stampede Lotteries Ticket Packages are currently available online for $50 to $150.


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Verizon has agreed to pay TiVo $250 million to settle a patent suit. (TiVo photo)
TiVo Inc., the pioneer of digital-video-recording technology, gained the most in almost three weeks Monday after Verizon Communications Inc. agreed to pay at least $250.4 million to settle patent litigation.
TiVo shares rose 4 percent, to $9.94, at the close in New York, the biggest advance since Sept. 4. The stock has risen 11 percent this year.
The agreement requires Verizon to make an initial cash payment of $100 million, followed by $150.4 million more, paid in quarterly installments through July 2018, TiVo said Monday in a statement. Verizon also will pay monthly license fees for every Verizon DVR subscriber beyond a predetermined level.
"We are pleased to reach an agreement with Verizon which underscores the significant value our distribution partners derive from TiVo's technological innovations and our shareholders derive from our investments in protecting TiVo's intellectual property," Tom Rogers, chief executive officer of Alviso, Calif.-based TiVo, said in the statement.
TiVo, which developed the first commercially available DVR, has struggled to capitalize on the invention over its 15-year life. The company has lost money in eight of the past 10 years.
The Verizon deal translates to $1.48 per diluted share for TiVo, according to Tony Wible, an analyst with Janney Capital Markets. The agreement also removes $10 million to $15 million in annual legal expenses, helping investors focus on the progress of the main business, he said in a report.
Another potential benefit for TiVo: the possibility of video distribution to TiVo DVRs. As part of the settlement, the companies are exploring video services through Verizon's joint venture with Redbox.
Verizon and Redbox have been testing a streaming video rental service called Redbox Instant that is expected to deliver video in select markets by Christmas.
Separately, Verizon also settled today with CloudTV developer ActiveVideo Networks Inc. of San Jose, Calif., for $260 million, according to a statement.
ActiveVideo makes virtual set-top box applications that allow users to stream video to televisions and other devices. Verizon and ActiveVideo agreed to cross-license certain patents and to not sue each other for an unspecified number of years.


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If it seems that rock concert tickets have become substantially more expensive lately, that's because they are. Ticket prices have been escalating for the last five years, and the plateau is nowhere in sight, said Princeton economist Alan Krueger.
In a Sept. 23 lecture "Rockonomics: Economics and Public Policy in the Rock and Roll Industry," Krueger described his study of the economic causes and effects of the rising cost of concert tickets. Krueger is the Bendheim Professor of Economics and Public Policy, director of the Princeton Survey Research Center and professor of economics and public affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School.
Using box office information maintained by Pollstar, an organization that provides concert tour schedules, box office results and other music industry-related data, Krueger discovered that in the last five years concert ticket prices have grown by 61 percent, while the Consumer Price Index (the measure of the price of all consumer goods) increased by just 13 percent. Further, the cost of concert tickets now outpaces the other entertainment sectors -- movies, sporting events, theater -- by about 30 percent.
In 2001, the average concert ticket price was about $40, with the average high-end cost close to $60. But Krueger noted that the range is great, and many artists cost much more. He gave the example of Paul McCartney, whose recent tour put fans out of pocket by $250 per ticket.
"There is a very skewed distribution of income for bands," said Krueger. "The top 5 percent of artists in 1982 generated 62 percent of the revenue. Today, they're generating 84 percent of the revenue. More people are paying more to see the best."
According to Krueger, a key reason why the "best are pulling ahead of the rest" is because they reach a large number of people around the world. "The price of consumer audio equipment has been falling like a stone," he said. "That means the top musicians can sell music to billions of people." And in the music business, being well known means being in demand.
It is not just the new, popular artists such as Britney Spears and *NSYNC that are selling tickets at higher prices than ever, but also well-established performers such as the Rolling Stones and Madonna. Krueger said he was interested to learn that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band has the same price range wherever he performs, and that this year his concert tour ticket price is $75. "That's kind of a throwback to the days when high and low prices were the same," he said.
Krueger was sometimes surprised by other information his study unearthed. He discovered that female bands command the highest prices in the industry. "I study the labor market, and you usually don't find females having higher salaries than males," he said. Mixed sex groups commanded the lowest average ticket price.
Another discovery was that across the genres, jazz and pop tickets cost more than reggae or folk. Also, older acts tend to have higher prices because they have a loyal fan base, typically made up of older audiences with more disposable income, said Krueger.
Krueger also delved into possible causes for the significant ticket price increases since the 1980s -- which spiked in the past five years -- especially when sales have been flat for about 12 years. He offered four explanations, some with caveats, that he said are all part of the story.
The first is that, according to the music industry professionals Krueger interviewed, production costs have increased. Elaborate stage sets and pyrotechnics are the norm, but Krueger admitted to being skeptical about some of the "facts." "Depending on who you talk to, *NSYNC's last stadium tour took as many as 53 tractor trailers," he said.
The second factor may be music industry consolidation, Krueger explained, but he admitted to a growing suspicion that this reason was "overrated." Even with 76 percent of the total revenue of the top artists being handled by the biggest four promoters --C lear Channel Communications being the most dominant -- Krueger has gained insights from further research to suggest that other factors may be more significant.
Krueger's third main explanation deals with the status of complementary goods, such as album sales. According to Krueger, the bounty from these goods has been drying up. "There was a 10 percent decline in album sales last year, and a 7 percent decline before that," he said. Krueger pointed to the practice of downloading music from the Web as having a major impact on album sales. "Jazz and blues fans tend to buy more music, while there's more piracy with rock and pop," he said. According to Krueger, this trend explains why jazz and blues concert prices have grown more slowly (23.4 percent) than rock and pop (74 percent).
Krueger's fourth hypothesis is that ticket prices had been too low to begin with. Krueger has a plan to test this reasoning -- this Thursday he is conducting a survey of fans at the Rolling Stones concert at Madison Square Garden to find out to what extent ticket scalping gets closer to the real market value of concert tickets. On Oct. 6, he'll conduct the same survey at Bruce Springsteen's concert in Philadelphia.
Contact: Marilyn Marks (609) 258-3601


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The rise of the unicorns
Latest News »
- Power Grid inks $500 million loan pact with Asian Development Bank
- Rajasthan govt to raise OBC quota, mulling 5% reservation to Gujjars
- Smartphone maker COMIO launches three handsets in India
- Finance ministry clarifies no disparity in number of taxpayers
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A unicorn, a start-up with a valuation of $1 billion or more, is one which every venture capitalist aspires to have in its portfolio. Tiger Global Management boasts of the highest number of such companies in India, according to a study by Venture Intelligence.
Tiger Global-backed consumer Internet companies Flipkart, Hike, Ola, Quikr and ShopClues.com have already made it to the list. Tiger is followed by another prolific investor, Sequoia Capital, with unicorns such as Mu Sigma, Ola and Zomato in its portfolio.


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An eminent daily reported on Wednesday that struggling e-commerce firm Snapdeal, which has over the past year more than halved its employee strength, is reportedly in talks with Flipkart and Paytm for potential sale.
However, the company has firmly denied this, saying that the information is incorrect and without basis.
When contacted, a Snapdeal spokesperson told Indiaretailing Bureau:
“Snapdeal categorically denies having had any such discussion. The information is incorrect and without basis. We are making decisive progress in our journey towards profitability and all our efforts are aligned in this direction.”
Despite the clarification, the beleaguered e-commerce firm has shutdown marketplace Shopo in February after a year-and-a-half of operations. The company had acquired Shopo – a platform that allowed small and medium-sized businesses to chat, buy and sell on the platform on a zero-commission model – in 2013. Ironically, in 2015, Snapdeal had announced an investment of US $100 million in this very marketplace.
The e-commerce player has also laid off around 600 people across its e-commerce, logistics and payments operations over the past few weeks. Even, its founders had agreed to take a 100 per cent pay cut, even as the firm initiated a process to rationalise a part of its workforce to make the company profitable in two years.
Snapdeal, which has been locked in an intense battle with rivals Amazon and Flipkart, has been struggling to raise fresh capital.
Snapdeal has already taken a number of steps to increase optimisation of operations that resulted in 35 per cent lower delivery costs and 25 per cent lower company fixed costs.
Snapdeal, which has gone into cash-conservation mode, has, in the last three to four months slashed discounts and minimized marketing spending.
The company’s loss more than doubled to Rs 3,316 core in the year ended 31 March 2016 even as revenue rose 56 per cent to Rs 1,457 crore.


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To connect Pakistanis stranded in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Pakistan’s leading Telecommunication Network, Zong 4G has announced its new packages for KSA by offering a wide range of roaming bundles to its customers. Due to COVID-19, many Pakistani’s cannot return home, with the new cost-effective packages, Zong 4G is ensuring that these people remain connected with their loved ones back home.
As the pioneer of data in Pakistan, Zong 4G continues to work in ensuring that its customers enjoy a ubiquitous network. Through its consumer-centric approach, Zong 4G is upholding its commitment to the customers by providing them with packages that are efficient, innovative and cater to their day-to-day needs.
Zong 4G joins a very select few operators globally to have tested and introduced international 4G roaming and remains the only one in Pakistan to test 5G.
KSA roaming consist of attractive & economical packages including: 1GB/70 minutes for 1499+Tax; 1GB/140 minutes for 2499+Tax; 1GB/210 minutes for 3499+Tax with a validity of 90 days.
“As the world gets smaller, the demand for data roaming continues to grow and Zong 4G customers, who want to stay connected everywhere they go, have access to Pakistan’s largest roaming network. Our KSA roaming bundles have been designed to provide customers with the opportunity to connect with their loved ones during these challenging times. The bundle relives our customers from the inconvenience of searching for a Wi-Fi hotspot, using a local SIM card or paying exorbitant charges for using data”, said the company spokesperson
Designed to meet the evolving demands of modern communication, Zong 4G’s widest 4G roaming services has provided the customers with a great deal flexibility and convenience to stay fully connected while travelling. Through its customer-centric approach, Pakistan’s No.1 Data Network is offering a wide range of packages and bundles to suit the needs of people from all walks of life.


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PEOPLE in Portsmouth are being urged to donate clothes, books, toys and household goods as part of a week-long challenge to collect as much stock as possible for the disability charity Scope.
The Dash to Donate appeal runs until Sunday, May 15, and Scope hopes to collect lots of quality items to sell at their shop in London Road, North End.
Members of the public can pick up bags from their local branches of Scope or Safestore at the Pompey Centre, Fratton, who have teamed up with the charity.
Julian Caddick, Safestore manager, said: ‘It’s a great way to support the charity and make a difference to its work with disabled people.
‘We need everyone to get involved to prove just how generous the people of Portsmouth are.’


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Scrapping India's trade privileges could hit US consumers: Senators
NEW DELHI: A US plan to end preferential duty-free imports of up to $5.6 billion from India could raise costs for American consumers, two US senators have told their country's trade office, urging a delay in adopting the plan, and seeking more negotiations.
If President Donald Trump presses ahead with his plan to end the generalized system of preferences (GSP) for India, it could lose the status in early May, Indian officials have said, raising the prospect of retaliatory tariffs.
India is the world's largest beneficiary of the GSP, dating from the 1970s, but trade ties with the US have widened over what Trump calls its high tariffs and concerns over New Delhi's e-commerce policies.
If the United States scraps duty-free access for about 2,000 product lines, it will mostly hurt small and medium businesses in India, such as makers of engineering goods.
Despite close political ties, trade between India and the United States, which stood at $126 billion in 2017, is widely seen to be performing at nearly a quarter of its potential.
Trade relations suffered in the past few months after India adopted new rules on e-commerce reining in how companies such as Amazon.com Inc and Walmart Inc-backed Flipkart do business.
Last June, India said it would step up import duties varying from 20 per cent to 120 per cent on a slew of US farm, steel and iron products, angered by Washington's refusal to exempt it from new steel and aluminium tariffs.
But it has since repeatedly delayed adopting the higher duties.
Ramesh - Chennai - 20 hours ago -Follow
Such issues are not addressed by retaliation. Trade is successful only when both parties meet their objectives. It is not who gets less or more. There is give and take. World has changed a lot since 1970. Review of the agreement to suit today's scenario is what both parties need to do and convince each other and agree to the terms.
Sudhansu Sekhar Das - 19 hours ago -Follow
Nothing will happen to India but US consumer will pay more.There is no substitute to Indian n product and Masala.
Pradeep - 20 hours ago -Follow
India has largest population and wider market than any country. If India want then it can prosper within itself without depending on any countries. That is what the unique religion of Hindu teaches the people. Indian citizen has to stop relying on any products made outside the country. India has to start production of its own weapons, medicines, electronic, etc. rather than depending on developed country like US, Russia, France, Isarel, etc..
boycott - mad cow temple - 19 hours ago
Boycott Chinese products. Stop sending Indian IT talents to US. Both will come to India begging.
Pramod - Sambalpur - 19 hours ago -Follow
India can withstand the tarrif imposed by USA.If America scraps the privilege s enjoyed by India USA has to suffer a lot.pkp
Dreet - 19 hours ago -Follow
Trump bashing India is like India bashing Pakistan
All for polls
Neera Chhabra - 20 hours ago -Follow
Trump is a fool
Abhishek - 20 hours ago -Follow
Har Har Modi! Foreign Policy at its finest level.
Dreet - 19 hours ago -Follow
Yes, we are really happy to buy cheap Indian rice and tea.
Frequent Flyer - Bhubaneshwar - 19 hours ago -Follow
Trumps statement that India is tariff king is actually true.
Mohit - 15 hours ago -Follow
US multinational companies have a big interest in India...Indian market is open for them...USA should not dictate terms with India.
Ravie - Chandigarh - 14 hours ago -Follow
President of USA should understand this, by hitting India they are directly encouraging their biggest competitor / enemies like dragons.
Sree - 15 hours ago -Follow
if US fights with china n india that's enough for it to collapse....
china could be unreliable product but
india is intellectual product...
Arjun Varshney - 15 hours ago -Follow
Trump is a mad and acting like it India Should be careful in dealing with Trump.
Shantanu - Delhi - 17 hours ago -Follow
Face it that Indian exports to the U.S. are quite inconsequential for them and will hardly hurt them. Our exporters will be hurt more. So instead of fake sabre-rattling the right move be to negotiate.
Adamroy - 18 hours ago -Follow
anyway this is Trump's last journey
Rajesh - Bangalore - 19 hours ago
Trump needs to learn it via experience why India is important for its economy. When experience speaks they will correct the mistake.
Ajit Grewal - chandigarh - 19 hours ago -Follow
Shah bhai modi bhai can conduct a SIR JEE kal strike on US
Dreet - 19 hours ago -Follow
Rice gets dearer by 50 cents per kg and I will never vote for Trump.Hahaha
saksh - 18 hours ago -Follow
MR MOTY IS RESPONSIBLE HE IS BAD OMEN
Manoj Kumar Panda - 19 hours ago -Follow
While showing ourselves big, we are slapped by USA with high import tariff on steel and aluminium and now GSP finished. We are dooming ourselves to camouflage our economic data which is perceived negatively by USA.
Makdxb - INDIA - 19 hours ago -Follow
Trump is a business man and he will show his shrewdness on the trade. But it wouldn''t help both side if there is no agreement on taxation. However, people of India is hopeful on good settlement of this issue
funny india - GERMAN - 11 hours ago -Follow
HAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAHAHA ONE MORE KICK BY INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS HAHAHAHAHAH
Main - New Delhi - 14 hours ago -Follow
those uncle Sam guys should feel pain in á??...e
now world order is changing.
Venkatachalam Ramakrishnan - 20 hours ago -Follow
They are sensible persons. The Trump is an impulsive person and does not have amy deep thinking. Venkatpr
Prathamesh Patil - 20 hours ago -Follow
True said the Senators biggest beneficiary of tax exemption are the citizens of the United States of America so USA government should think about their people before taking any harsh steps
Pradeep Bhatia - 20 hours ago -Follow
For decades India has enjoyed a privileged trade starus. India needs to grow up and stop being a spoilt brat. It needs to reduce tariffs on US goods to level the playing ground.
Bhari Kaam - 20 hours ago -Follow
The western tax model is based on work labor taxation, not consumption taxes!


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The CEO of an Indian company replaced 90% of supporting staff with chatbots that make use of artificial intelligence. According to the man, these AI bots can handle customer service much faster than his human former employees. He later stated that the recent cut jobs were a “tough” thing to do but assured that it was a “necessary” measurement for his company.
The man in question, Summit Shah, Founder of Dukaan, announced via his Twitter profile that the chatbot, which had recently replaced his employees, could significantly improve responses and customer service questions. The artificial intelligence-empowered chatbox was much faster and took less time to provide assistance than human workers. For example, it was able to start answering queries instantly and employees would take an average of 1 minute and 44 seconds.
Shah also stated the measurements were taken as a response to customer behaviors. He said that these clients no longer needed as much attention on live chats or calls. In addition, he cited profitability as one of the reasons for the layoffs of his 23 employees. “Given the state of [the] economy, startups are prioritizing ‘profitability’ over striving to become ‘unicorns,’ and so are we.” In the same line, the cost of the customer support function was cut to 85%.
After the backlash, the CEO said that he dreams about a moment in which AI and humans can work together “both doing what they do best.” He also clarified that he is looking for employees to fill positions in marketing, engineering, sales, and data sciences.


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Passersby in San Francisco's trendy Noe Valley stopped to read the signs on this papered over storefront. One read:
Nutraceutical claimed it planned to remodel the store, but fired employees insisted they had disturbed the company by winning near 100 percent solidarity behind unionization.
Workers went to court to enforce their rights. In November 2005, Judge James Kennedy ruled that:
But nearly a year later, there is no sign the store will ever open and, accordingly to postings on the windows, Nutraceutical has appealed to the full, Republican-dominated, National Labor Relations Board. Former workers still have gotten nothing.


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After teasing its announcement earlier this week, Valve has officially revealed Half-Life: Alyx – complete with a gameplay trailer and release month.
Set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2, players will control Alyx Vance as she and her father, Eli, assemble a resistance to take down The Combine.
Touted by Valve as "designed from the ground up for Virtual Reality," it's being described as a "full-length" title that will release for all PC-based VR headsets via Steam.
"We’ve invested a lot of ourselves in the technology," said Valve founder Gabe Newell. "But we're also game developers at heart, and to be devoting ourselves to a VR game this ambitious is just as exciting. For that to come in the form of Half-Life feels like the culmination of a lot things we care a lot about : truly great games, cutting edge technology, and open platforms."
Half-Life: Alyx is available for pre-order now with a release window of April 2020.


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On Aug. 8, 2016, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's deeming regulations went into effect. While it marked the first day that FDA was formally regulating cigars, most of the specific rules in regulations did not actually go into effect on Aug. 8 as the deadlines were spread out over many years.
The deeming regulations affect nearly every facet of how cigars are made and sold in America, but their impacts can largely be divided into three main areas.
As part of the deeming regulations, FDA will require warning labels to be placed on every box and advertisement for cigars sold in the U.S. Because of the ambiguous nature of how FDA defines—or doesn't define—advertising, this could mean large warning labels on the website of every online cigar retailer and catalog, social media posts for events and other areas that may not traditionally be thought of as advertising.
At this moment, these regulations are not in effect.
By far, the costliest part of the regulations in both time and money are new rules regarding how companies may introduce new products.
FDA will require that companies submit applications for approval before selling any new cigars after Aug. 8, 2016. Furthermore, all existing cigars will need to find approval via one of three main pathways.
Because FDA is still updating it policies regarding the main approval pathway, as well as developing its testing protocols, the exact cost of this process unknown.
At this time, this rule is not in effect.
FDA's regulation of tobacco products is funded by the tobacco products themselves.
The Center for Tobacco Products' budget is paid for by user fees, which are now paid by all cigar companies selling cigars in the U.S. These user fees are added to the wholesale cost of cigars.
User fees vary due to both the volume of cigars sold and the cost of those cigars, but halfwheel has estimated the maximum user fees to be:
- In 2017, 4.31 cents per cigar
- In 2018, 4.74 cents per cigar
- In 2019, 5.15 cents per cigar
Last Updated: May 23, 2019.
FDA's decision to regulate all cigars centers around three core arguments:
- FDA believes all cigars pose serious negative health risks
- FDA does not believe that premium cigars sufficiently reduce health risks
- FDA believes premium cigars are used by youth and young adults
FDA suggests that 9,000 lives have been ended early because of cigar smoking. While it does not specify whether or not those are premium cigars, the agency argues it does not have to. Rather, because it does not accept any study on the healthy affects solely premium cigars to be valid—largely due to small sample sizes—it chooses to ague that all cigars are a danger to public health.
FDA's explanation for underage individuals smoking premium cigars is perhaps less grounded. It cites a study that indicates that 3.8 percent of youth aged 12 to 17 indicated they smoked premium cigars, but then discusses in detail, smoking rates for two legal age groups 18 to 25 and 18 to 29. (Deeming Tobacco Products To Be Subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act…, 187-188)
It then states "FDA does not believe it necessary for the definition of premium cigars in this study to match exactly the definitions in the NPRM in order to draw inferences about the use of different types of cigar products... (These data) clearly indicate that youth and young adults are using premium cigars." (Ibid.)
FDA makes it clear that it believes its mandate calls for not only special focus towards underage, illegal tobacco use, but also legal use amongst young adults.
As explained throughout the rest of this guide, all cigars will now be subject to a variety of regulatory measures, including:


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Launching a luxury label is no easy feat, and attempting to do so (unknowingly) just ahead of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic is an even more arduous task, one that has not proven fruitful even for LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and mega-star Rihanna. The Paris-based luxury goods group revealed on Wednesday that it will shutter its joint venture with Rihanna, at least for the time being, telling WWD, “Rihanna and LVMH have jointly made the decision to put on hold the ready-to-wear activity, pending better conditions.” The announcement comes less than two years after LVMH confirmed growing chatter that it had partnered with the multi-Grammy Award winner and beauty mogul for a luxury-level fashion collection.
The parties are not going their separate ways, though. L Catterton – the LVMH-affiliated private equity firm with stakes in companies like Ganni, Everlane, Giuseppe Zanotti, Third Love, Honest Company, and Equinox, among others – led a recent Series B fundraising round for Savage x Fenty, the 3-year old lingerie label that Rihanna maintains with TechStyle Fashion Group. “Following the completion of a fundraising round where L Catterton has taken a stake into Savage X Fenty, LVMH and Rihanna reaffirm their ambition to concentrate on the growth and the long-term development of Fenty ecosystem focusing on cosmetics, skincare and lingerie,” LVMH and Rihanna stated.
At the same time, LVMH and Rihanna are keeping their Fenty Beauty venture intact, which Rihanna launched with Kendo, LVMH’s incubator for new beauty brands, in September 2017, as well as the subsequently-launched Fenty Skin.
To date, LVMH had failed to make any mention of its ready-to-wear venture with Rihanna in any of its revenue reports, raising questions about the progress of the ambitious tie-up. However, on the heels of reports that LVMH had enlisted former Nike executive Bastien Renard to join its newest fashion brand, LVMH chief financial officer Jean-Jacque Guiony shed some light on the status of the growing fashion brand, saying in October that Fenty was still “work-in-progress.” All the while, LVMH has frequency touted the “exceptional success” of its more than 3-year-old beauty brand with Rihanna, noting in its annual report last month , for instance, that “the new skincare brand Fenty Skin, developed by Rihanna, is off to a very promising start.”
Prior to LVMH’s confirmation of the launch of the Fenty label in May 2019, rumors had been swirling that LVMH and Rihanna were set to expand their partnership beyond her hot-selling Fenty Beauty, which is a joint venture with LVMH, to include a full-fledged fashion line, with the luxury goods group and the multi-hyphenate Grammy winner having engaged in “secret discussions to launch a luxury house under her name” since early that year. In launching the collection, Rihanna became “the first woman to create an original brand at LVMH [and] the first woman of color at the top of an LVMH maison,” the New York Times’ Vanessa Friedman reported at the time.
As for Savage x Fenty, which is a joint venture between Rihanna and Techstyle, the retail group that owns Kate Hudson’s Fabletics and ShoeDazzle, the latest funding rounding comes after the brand raised a reported $50 million in funding in August 2019, which “brought the total amount invested in the company to roughly $70 million,” according to the Wall Street Journal. Thanks to its modern offerings, including a wide range of sizes, the Savage venture has been touted as readily stealing market share from established names like Victoria’s Secret, helping it to bring it sales that, as of 2019, were approaching $150 million and growing.
The new funding will go towards Savage’s next phase of growth in light of an “explosive” rise in revenue over the past year, per LVMH.
LVMH and Rihanna’s Fenty venture, which was slated to “disrupt” the luxury space by way of its regular drops as opposed to adhering to the seasonal approach to fashion, is seemingly a testament to the difficulty that comes with launching a label from scratch, as opposed to acquiring an established name, the latter of which is far more within the wheelhouse of LVMH. As the Times’ stated in connection with its launch in 2019, Fenty was “the first new house created by [LVMH] since Christian Lacroix in 1987,” with LVMH selling off the seemingly underperforming Lacroix label in 2005 in furtherance of what it called its “strategy of focusing on those leading brands with the highest growth potential.”
Instead of founding new brands, LVMH has captured the title of the world’s largest luxury goods group by aggressively acquiring luxury names, dating back to 1984 when LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault purchased Boussac in a quest to get his hands on Christian Dior, which was owned by the ailing textile company. The outlier here appears to be Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty (and maybe the newly-launched Fenty Skincare brand). The brands and their well-priced and effectively-targeted products have flourished, likely due to enduring demand for cosmetics – as opposed to apparel – in light of the pandemic, as well as the more accessible nature of cosmetics, which has likely helped the Fenty brands find favor among younger consumers that are not yet ready to shell out on pricey luxury goods.


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The spooktacular season is upon us. And, you know what that means!
The long summer days are coming to an end. The leaves will soon start to change an array of colors, and there will be a cool crisp in the air. With the autumn months right around the corner, fans of the fall season are already starting to countdown the days until they can purchase a pumpkin spice latte, throw on their favorite sweater, and celebrate the holidays.
Let's face it: Halloween will be here before we know it. Seriously, you've probably already seen bags of candy at your local supermarket store. But, before you start planning your costumes for the spooky weekend or an office party with your coworkers, some may be wondering if the holiday is even happening.
With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (also known as COVID-19), is Halloween being canceled?
Is Halloween 2020 canceled amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic?
Ringing in a new decade has so far been a total letdown. As the pandemic continues to affect people all over the world, creating a new "normal," some people may be wondering if the holiday, which typically involves kids running amuck (Hocus Pocus, anyone?!) door-to-door asking neighbors for treats, will be taking place in 2020.
It's hard to completely "cancel" a holiday, but Halloween in your town may definitely look different in 2020. Families may choose not to participate in the Oct. 31 holiday to help limit social interactions between people. So, if you see a house that remains unlit while trick-or-treating, it's safe to say they've opted out of giving away candy this year.
Additionally, some parents may choose to not take their kids out on Halloween as a safety precaution.
Check out these virtual Halloween event ideas to celebrate the holiday in 2020.
While many people may be wondering how or if they'll be celebrating the scary holiday in 2020, the superstore Spirit of Halloween will be opening its doors this year.
"We are passionate about Halloween and are fully committed to returning with a full fleet of stores because our guests share our passion," said Steven Silverstein, the CEO and president of Spirit Halloween, in a press release.
He continued, "Halloween restores hopefulness and provides an outlet for escape. Yes, the world has changed, but there are so many ways to participate and enjoy Halloween. We personally have seen an outpouring of enthusiasm and positive support for our determination to fully open our stores, and we agree, we all need Halloween now more than ever!"
Though your town may cancel this year's trick-or-treating festivities, or you may simply choose to not participate, that doesn't mean you have to save your Halloween costume ideas for the following year.
To get into the Halloween spirit, organize a virtual costume party with friends and family members. Brew up a spooky cocktail and enjoy with your coworkers during an online happy hour.
If you have kids, organize a candy scavenger hunt inside or outside of your home. We're sure they'd love to find their favorite treats!
You could also bake Halloween-themed goodies or organize a craft project.
While Halloween will look a bit different in 2020, it's time to get creative!


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A serial buttock slasher is targetting young women at shopping centres in the US.
A hunt is underway for the man, who follows his victims into retail stores and then distracts them by dropping something near them before striking with a sharp weapon, thought to be a razor or a box cutter.
Police in the county of Fairfax, Virginia, have released security footage of the suspected slasher.
The latest victim was an 18-year-old woman shopping inside a store on Monday when she heard clothes falling off a rack behind her.
As she turned around she saw a man bending down to pick them up and then she felt a piercing pain in her buttocks, police said in a statement.
She thought a hangar had struck her but then realised someone had slashed through her denim shorts, probably with a box cutter or razor, police said.
Then teen suffered a 4cm wound.
Police have linked the attack to four others in retail stores across Fairfax County since February. All the victims are females in their teens or early 20s.
Former FBI profiler Gregg McCrary said the attacker may have a sexual disorder called piquerism, a form of sadomasochism in which he derives sexual gratification from stabbing or pricking other people, local ABC network affiliate NewsChannel 8 reports.
Mr McCrary also said the attacks are likely to continue until the culprit is captured.
"It's absolutely an obsession and they have to keep doing it and doing it," he was quoted as saying.
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2018


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It looks like deal between GM and China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery to sell Hummer brand is on shaky ground. The likelihood that the Chinese government will give its approval to Tengzhong has been waning in recent weeks, leading the would-be purchasers to consider making the acquisition using an offshore investment vehicle to skirt the need for Chinese regulatory approval, according to Reuters’ report. GM and Tengzhong had originally set a January 31st deadline to complete the sale, later extending that time frame to February 28th.
The Chinese National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce are thought to have taken issue with the idea of such an environmentally unfriendly automaker coming under Chinese ownership. More over, Tengzhong has never actually made a passenger vehicle, and China already has over 100 companies producing automobiles. So, wait for February 28th. [via AutoBlog]


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Complement the waning days of summer with a nice glass of North Carolina wine and a delicious bite of North Carolina muscadine grapes at the State Farmers Market’s Grape Day, Friday, Sept. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wine tastings, grape samples and free recipes are all part of the special event, one of several activities being held in September as part of Wine and Grape Appreciation Month in North Carolina.
The N.C. Wine & Grape Council will sponsor a special wine-tasting area, featuring samples from some of North Carolina’s 80 wineries, while farmers offer samples of locally grown muscadines and free recipes to help inspire visitors in their home kitchens.
In addition to the wine and grape samples being offered during the day, make sure you check out Lu Mil Vineyard, a Market Shoppes staple. The Elizabethtown native will be giving out samples of its homemade muscadine slushies, sure to be a treat for the remaining days of summer.
Bottles of wine also will be available for purchase in the wine-tasting area and at Market Shoppes vendor The Berry Patch.


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This week on All Things Nintendo, Brian and Indie Informer's Jill Grodt run down the best indie games that came to Switch over the last calendar year. Brian and Jill chat about their favorite indies
During The Game Awards, we learned that The Outlast Trials is wrapping up its time in PC early access and is heading to consoles next March. The game was first announced in 2019 and
Alan Wake 2 hit PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on October 27, but shortly before its release, developer Remedy Entertainment revealed that it would be getting a New Game Plus mode with
The Game Awards 2023 was a massive night for games, with more than 30 announcements, premieres, and more. It ended with developer Larian Studios taking home the Game of the Year award for its
Mecha Break is an new multiplayer co-op mech game by Seasun Games that premiered during The Game Awards tonight. Fans of games like Armored Core VI and Zone of the Enders may want to
As Dusk Falls, the narrative adventure game about two families linked together by a burglary gone wrong, hit Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC in July of last year. More than a year
Despite claiming that it had no plans to release DLC for Final Fantasy XVI, Square Enix announced at The Game Awards that Final Fantasy XVI is getting not one but two pieces of DLC.
The Game Awards are packed with eager looks at highly anticipated games, but the ceremony is full of plenty of surprises too. One of them is a flashy Metroidvania called Tales of Kenzera: Zau,


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In 2013, HTC made a bold attempt at repairing its image with consumers from a software standpoint. In years past, the company missed deadlines, made false promises and failed to upgrade devices in a timely manner. While there is still a lot of room for improvement, HTC made strides and maybe the best example is the HTC One Android 4.4 KitKat update that was announced just a few short days ago.
For years, HTC has taken a lot of flack for its software upgrade process. For some time the company was not only slow and uncommunicative, but it was also untrustworthy thanks to a string of missed deadlines and broken promises. In fact, Droid Incredible 2 owners are still waiting for their Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update that was promised to them all of those months ago.
This year, HTC changed its ways, at least for the most part. While the company still missed on a promise to HTC One S owners and HTC One owners in the United States, it has done a much better job of communicating with its customer base about its software upgrades. It has also done a pretty good job of keeping its deadlines. U.S. carriers are notoriously difficult to work with so we’re not surprised that we’ve seen a few hiccups. But at least HTC has communicated those hiccups.
In the past, HTC would have been extremely slow to confirm any Android update information. However, when Android 4.4 KitKat arrived, the company was the first out of the gates with specific, detail info. Already, we’ve seen it promise Android 4.4 KitKat for the Droid DNA, HTC One Max, HTC One mini and the HTC One, the company’s flagship. The HTC One in particular is important because it’s currently the only non-Nexus, non-Google Edition device, that has specific upgrade timing attached to it.
With excitement at an extremely high level, we wanted to share the important things that we think HTC One users should know about the upcoming HTC One Android 4.4 KitKat update.
January Release Date Likely
At this point, there is no reason to believe that HTC won’t be able to keep its promise when it comes to the HTC One Android 4.4 KitKat roll out. For one, we don’t think that HTC would have made that bold of a promise if it had any doubts about whether it would be able to deliver and two, we’re already seeing other confirmations from other places.
HTC UK says that it is planning to upgrade the device in January as well, HTC originally confirmed the 90 day window for the United States, and we’ve seen French carrier SFR confirm that it also plans to roll the software out in January. This works to solidify HTC’s plans and it makes an upgrade during the month of January extremely likely.
Expect Late January Release
Obviously, the biggest question about the update is when, exactly, it will be out. With a 90 day window, HTC has plenty of options when it comes to a roll out. That said, we don’t expect the software to arrive until January, at the earliest and we fully expect HTC to milk that window for all its worth. HTC UK says that it will roll out the software in late January and we fully expect most of these updates to roll out later on in the month.
So while it would be fantastic to see the company push out updates in November or December, that, to us, seems a little too soon at this point. Perhaps HTC will surprise users with an early roll out but at this point, users should expect a late January release.
U.S. Could Get Sense 5.5
While the rest of the world is in the process of getting HTC’s new Sense 5.5 software, the HTC One’s in the United States are still on HTC’s Sense 5 user interface. HTC hasn’t announced anything yet but we wouldn’t be surprised to see the U.S. versions of the HTC One get Sense 5.5 with their Android 4.4 KitKat updates. Again, this isn’t confirmed, but the fact that the HTC One has received Sense 5.5 just about everywhere else is a sign that it should be coming to the United States at some point.
Sense 5.5 isn’t a massive upgrade but it does bring some enhancements and tweaks to Sense 5. Both HTC BlinkFeed and HTC Zoe have been changed and one of the most prominent features is the ability to switch off BlinkFeed altogether. Many HTC One owners use the home screen to keep themselves informed with news, but others, well, they simply want to be able to get rid of it.
Verizon HTC One Won’t Skip Android 4.3 for Android 4.4
Plenty of Verizon HTC One owners have been writing in, wondering if the device will be skipping Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for Android 4.4 KitKat. Not happening says HTC. Instead, the device is expected to get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean sometime this month before getting an upgrade to Android 4.4 within that 90 day window.
Verizon is notoriously difficult to work with when it comes to software upgrades so we would not be the least bit surprised if the update falls outside of that 90 day window. We’re not going to guarantee it just yet but it wouldn’t be shocking.
Want Timely Info on Progress?
Obviously, Gotta Be Mobile will be keeping HTC One users informed about the HTC One Android 4.4 upgrade process from announcement to release date. However, for those in the United States that want to hear about the progress directly from the horse’s mouth, HTC’s President Jason Mackenzie is the person to keep an eye on.
Mackenzie not only communicates with HTC One users but he is constantly releasing progress updates for HTC users. So, while we may not see any information arrive for a few weeks or more, Mackenzie could deliver some more information about the HTC One Android 4.4 KitKat update from time to time.
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World meat production growth in 2014 is expected to be modest, growing 1.1 percent from the nearly 308.5 million metric tons produced in 2013 or an increase of 3.3 million metric tons. Much of the demand for the nearly 311.8 million metric tons of all meats produced in 2014 continues to come from developing countries with rising populations.
According to the latest Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Agricultural Outlook publication, growth in poultry meat production over the past year has been the slowest in the last 20 years, at a rate of 0.5 percent. The slow growth can be attributed to the impact of high feed prices during the first half of the year, as well as falling production in China due to an outbreak of H7N9 avian influenza. An increase of 1.6 percent over 2013 will result in nearly 108.7 million metric tons of poultry meat being produced around the world in 2014. FAO estimates that poultry inventory globally stood at 22.6 billion in 2013, and has experienced a growth rate of 2.8 percent per year since 1995. During the outlook period, the poultry inventory growth rate is expected to slow to 2.2 percent to 2023.
U.S. leads growth in output
Growth in output will be greatest in developed countries, led by the U.S., which is anticipated to expand production by 1.8 percent to a record nearly 20.6 million metric tons. China, currently the second largest producer, is projected to see production fall by 1.7 percent in 2014 as it continues to suffer from the effects of 2013’s bird flu. Other major producers around the world, such as the European Union, Brazil and Mexico, are all projected to see gains, with the most notable growth coming from Russia (8 percent) and India (6 percent).
Production growth will also be matched with growth in consumption, as changing demand preferences will make poultry the largest meat sector by 2020. In the base period 2011-13, poultry meat consumption around the world per capita averaged nearly 13.2 kg per person per year. Changing diets in countries like India, as well as poultry’s lower cost relative to other meats and rising incomes, have aided consumption growth. As the cheapest meat, consumers often enter the market by purchasing poultry products, consuming greater quantities as their incomes rise.
FAO’s Meat Price Index, a measure of global meat prices, has remained at historically high levels since 2011 and currently remains about 90 percent higher than a decade ago. Feed prices, however, fell in 2013, providing some relief for poultry producers. In the United States, a major player, prices for chicken and eggs have started to come down from elevated levels seen at the end of 2013 and beginning of 2014.
Poultry accounts for the most growth in meat trade
With lower feed costs, rising consumption and avian influenza challenges in Asia, poultry will account for the most growth and comprise 43 percent of the total 31.3 million metric tons of meat that is traded in 2014. The world imported nearly 12.8 million metric tons of poultry meat in 2013 and will have imported nearly 13.2 million metric tons by the end of 2014. Developing countries remain the major traders, importing 9.2 million metric tons in 2013 and 9.5 million metric tons in 2014 – nearly three times more poultry meat than developed countries. Exports of poultry meat globally stood at nearly 13.2 million metric tons in 2013 and are forecast to reach 13.5 million metric tons in 2014.


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Second U.K. Product Profile 202123 September 2021
Today, on the 23rd September 2021, ATNI published its second U.K. Product Profile 2021. The launch of the report coincides with the UN Food Systems Summit – a pivotal event in this Nutrition Year of Action – signaling a call to action for all food system actors, including the private sector, to do as much as possible to improve diets and health for all, and deliver progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. This report also builds momentum supporting the dialogue around the recently published U.K. National Food Strategy, with its ambitious proposals to tackle obesity and diet related ill-health.
Read the full report here
The U.K., like many other countries, continues to fight its health crisis, which is driven in part by poor diets and social inequalities: approximately two in three adults and one in three children are overweight in the U.K. While COVID-19 has sparked an increased interest in the role of nutritious diets and health in obesity prevention, it is increasingly clear that a concerted effort is needed from all parties involved in the food system to improve the nutritional quality of packaged foods and beverages sold in the U.K. Food and beverage manufacturers can play an integral role in this process through improving the nutritional quality of their products and portfolios.
With support from ShareAction through a fund from Impact on Urban Health, part of Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation, ATNI has rated the contribution made by major U.K. food manufacturers to address the U.K.’s diet-driven health crises, and has tracked that contribution over time by assessing the healthiness of their product portfolios.
The U.K. Product Profile 2021 is the second of its kind, following the first U.K. Product Profile published in 2019.
The 2021 report assessed the nutritional quality of more than 4,000 products from 16 of the world’s largest food and beverage manufacturers active in the U.K., using the data from the 2021 Global Access to Nutrition Index. The products analysed accounted for approximately 50% of total U.K. retail sales of manufacturer brands’ packaged foods and beverages in 2019. Like the previous iteration, two nutrient profiling models (NPMs) were used: the Health Star Rating (HSR) system to assess the healthiness of product portfolios; and the WHO Europe model to assess products’ suitability to be marketed to children.
Findings from the U.K. Product Profile 2021 reveal that the average mean HSR for all products assessed is only 2.2 out of 5 stars, similar to the findings of the U.K. Product Profile 2019. Products need to reach or exceed a threshold of 3.5 out of 5 stars to be considered ‘healthy’, and only 32% of the products assessed (1,337 out of 4,207) met this healthy threshold. Results clearly establish that companies need to do more to improve the nutritional quality of their product portfolios in the U.K.
Despite these findings, the report has revealed that even within a relatively short period of time,
manufacturers can make progress through measures that introduce healthier product varieties in their portfolios. Sales from ‘healthy’ products increased from 22% in 2019 to 29% in 2021, and the sales-weighted mean HSR for nine out of the 16 companies assessed also increased. For example, Danone’s sales-weighted mean HSR improved the most by 0.7 stars (from 3.3 to 4.0), driven by changes in the dairy product mix, and by a larger proportion of total U.K sales deriving from dairy products. The company that improved the most in the overall ranking was PepsiCo, moving up three places, as the mean HSR for some of its product categories improved due to changes in the product mix.
As this report coincides with a pivotal year for action on nutrition both globally and in the U.K., this timing offers great opportunities for companies, policymakers, investors, and civil society to publicly commit to bold new actions for health and nutrition at the global and local level.
ATNI urges food and beverage manufacturers in the U.K. to:
- Accelerate measures that introduce more healthy product variation in portfolios
- Adopt a robust nutrient profiling model to guide (re)formulation efforts and benchmark performance
- Define U.K.-specific portfolio-level targets and improve accountability through better annual reporting by disclosing the proportion of sales derived from healthy foods
- Re-direct investments towards marketing of healthier products
- Do not market products that are unsuitable to be marketed to children, as assessed by the WHO Europe model or equivalent
Major risks and opportunities related to nutrition remain in the food and beverage sector, and institutional investors can be a major force for good. ATNI calls on investors to:
- Carefully assess and factor in risks and opportunities related to nutrition
- Use independent product assessments and nutrition indexes to evaluate performance on nutrition over time and across companies
- Engage with food and beverage manufacturers to demand urgent action on improving the healthiness of products and sales of healthy products
- Independent analysis on the healthiness of companies’ product portfolios using a consistent metric is important to monitor changes over time and hold companies to account. ATNI hopes that food manufacturers, NGOs, investors, government will use this report to benchmark performance and accelerate action to ensure all communities in the U.K. can more easily access nutritious foods that support healthy diets


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Credit Cards are a Gateway to Other Loans
According to a report from the credit bureau CRIF High Mark, 65% of the 4.27 crore credit card borrowers (as of September 2019) in India entered the credit ecosystem with a credit card and then graduated to other loans. The remaining 35% or 1.51 crore users already had a credit footprint. The report also stated that a greater proportion of credit card borrowers tend towards other unsecured loans. "From the overall card’s customer base, 2.76 crore graduated to other retail loans–21% availed of personal loans, followed by 18% who took consumer durables loans. About 14% availed of auto loans, 12% home loans, followed by two-wheeler loans and gold loans (6% each)," according to the report.
Once an individual comes into the credit ecosystem through credit card, banks find it easier to cross-sell them other loan products. Credit cards also offer access to credit without elaborate paperwork involved in case of other retail loans. The size of the credit card industry as of November 2019 stood at 54.4 million (5.44 crore) cards. But the active cards in circulation were at 50.1 million (5.01 crore) as of December 2019. The portfolio of the industry stood at ₹1,24,390 crore (₹1.24 trillion) as of December 2019.
Spending on credit cards is growing faster than the growth in their numbers. For example, between December 2018 and December 2019, the portfolio outstanding grew by 44%, whereas active card users grew by 25%. "The new norms for social distancing, the paradigm shifts to digital payments, better internet availability, and growth in the number of cards in circulation in tier II and tier III cities will propel the demand for credit cards. We anticipate that about one million active cards will be added over the next five-six quarters, despite the covid-19 crisis," said Navin Chandani, MD and CEO, CRIF High Mark in an email interview.
Earlier, two key factors boosted the demand for credit cards and incentivized spending. The first was sales by e-commerce players where users get heavy discounts on using credit cards. "A large section of the middle and lower-middle-income salaried consumers are tempted to use credit cards instead of debit cards (during online sales)," stated the report. Second, demonetisation in November 2016 had a strong impact on card usage, as people were forced to use digital modes of payments due to the crunch of high-value denomination currency in the economy. The year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in credit cards usage stood at 44% in 2017 as against 31% in 2016 and 26% in 2015.
Tier II and tier III cities are now driving the growth in credit cards. While metros have 60% of the active card base as of December 2019, non-metros saw far higher growth. The y-o-y growth in tier II and tier III cities were 32% and 41%, respectively as of 2019.


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Friday, January 03, 2014: Electronics goods importers in India want the government to extend the deadline of safety certification norms further as they are unable to meet the deadline of 3 January. The deadline has been extended twice earlier and the industry is unsure whether the government will be giving another reprieve in this case. If the deadline is not extended further, it could lead to a halt of imports of goods listed for certifications by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
According to a Business Line report, Anwar Shirpurwala, executive director with Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT), said, “We have requested for an extension as the pace of registration is slow. Imports of electronic products, which are still under the process of registration and testing, could come to a halt.”
Shirpurwala highlighted that the registrations, which are a part of the process of issuing BIS certifications picked up pace only in the last three weeks. However, BIS is committed to grant registration for all the listed products before the deadline.
It is worth mentioning here that the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) had made the compliance of BIS certifications mandatory for all the imported electronic goods. The aim is to curb the flow of sub-standard electronic products into the country. A few of those sub-standard products could also lead to safety hazards. This is the first time Indian government has taken such a stringent stance, which is much similar to the international standards.
The deadline to get electronic goods BIS certified has already been extended twice from the original 3 July to 3 October and further to 3 January, due to repeated requests from the industry.
The government has identified 15 items including laptops, tablets, TV sets, microwave ovens, printers, scanners, set top boxes and wireless keyboards for the certifications.


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Post Office steps into mobile market with new phone service using EE's network
- Set to launch in 50 Post Office branches in the autumn
- Post Office already offers broadband and landline services
The Post Office is set to enter the mobile market this autumn with a tie up with EE, it announced today.
It plans to compete with well-established rivals by offering simple tariffs and value for money, it said.
It will launch initially with promotions in 50 Post Office branches in the autumn, altrhough anyone will be able to apply for the service online or over the phone. A full national promotion will follow after that.
Branching out: The Post Office will soon offer phone contracts alongside stamps and holiday money
The move builds upon the Post Office’s strategy to grow its presence in the telecoms sector. It already offers a home phone and broadband service and has almost half a million customers.
Martin George, chief commercial officer at Post Office, said: 'Our research tells us that people are seeking greater value, with one in three of those surveyed saying they intended to move away from one of the mainstream providers for their next service.
‘We believe we are in an ideal position to offer a genuine alternative with over a third (36 per cent) also saying they would consider us as their mobile provider. This is a fantastic vote of confidence in the Post Office brand – voted one of the most trusted brands in the UK.’
The move is part of a massive overhaul of the Post Office brand.
It received a £640million boost from the government last year to support the transformation, which has seen 2,200 branches revamped and over 60,000 extra opening hours for customers.
Martin George added: 'Our network of over 11,500 branches combined with our online, and call centre presence, gives us the perfect platform to become one of the most credible providers of mobile services in the market.'
Meanwhile BT is also set to launch mobile phones for business customers next week as it reenters the market after a decade’s absence.
The former telecoms monopoly has been working for more than a year developing its service, which will be unveiled next Thursday.
The announcement will herald a re-entry into the sphere it quit in 2001 when it sold off the Cellnet division, which is now called O2.
Next Thursday, BT’s business arm will release its prices and packages for small and medium sized firms.
A consumer launch will take place later this year.
The telecoms giant has teamed up with EE – the largest mobile provider in the UK – to offer phone services using its network.
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Can Technology in the Classroom Replace Expensive Textbooks
Kitaboo on EdTech
JUNE 13, 2019
Cengage recently introduced a new subscription model that gives students access to all of the company’s digital course materials for a semester or an year. Similarly, Pearson has made some of its textbooks available for rent through Chegg. If educational institutes start adopting OERs in classrooms, students will be able to save a lot of money that would otherwise be spent on purchasing textbooks and rental subscriptions. Increase in Textbook Prices Over the Years.


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Dairy product prices increased at the Global Dairy Trade auction, rising for the tenth straight time, though a decline in whole milk powder kept the gain muted.
The GDT price index rose 0.5 percent from the previous auction two weeks ago. It was the smallest increase since November. The average price was US$3,447 a tonne, compared with US$3,483 a tonne two weeks ago. Some 16,166 tonnes of product was sold versus 17,854 tonnes two weeks ago.
Whole milk powder – which makes up the bulk of the auction – fell 0.7 percent to US$3,269 a tonne. It has fallen about 1.4 percent the past month.
“The decline in overall prices continues to reflect easing demand across our markets, particularly North Asia,” NZX dairy analyst Robert Gibson said in a note. While average prices eased for milk powders, they lifted for milk fats and cheese, he said.
At the latest GDT auction, butter climbed 3.5 percent to US$5,544, while anhydrous milk fat rose 4.2 percent to US$6,126 a tonne and cheddar increased 1.4 percent to US$4,319 a tonne. Butter milk powder and sweet whey powder were not offered.
Skim milk powder advanced 0.2 percent to US$2,462 a tonne. Lactose fell 3.4 percent to US$912 and rennet casein fell 2.4 percent to $6,460 percent a tonne.
There were 94 winning bidders out of 155 participating at the 15-round auction. The number of registered bidders was 527, up from 521 at the previous auction.


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Apple said today that its third-generation iPad, released in the U.S. and nine other countries March 16, will start being sold in an additional countries 21 countries this month.
Consumers in South Korea, Brunei, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, Panama, St Maarten, Uruguay and Venezuela can buy the tablet starting on April 20. Users in India, Israel, Colombia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, South Africa and Thailand will have to wait until April 27.
Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the new touchscreen tablet, which adds a faster processor, high-resolution display and support for high-speed wireless networks, on March 7, saying it will usher in the "post-PC era" as more consumers opt for a portable mobile device for viewing content, surfing the web and checking their email. Apple said more than 3 million were sold in the weekend after it was released. The company offers six models, starting at $499.
Sales of the iPad, which accounts for about 20 percent of Apple's sales, are expected to help drive a 47-percent jump in sales in the quarter ended in March, to about $36.3 billion (though some analysts are predicting sales as high as $41 billion.)
Apple probably sold between 12 to 13 million iPads in March (or as many as 812,500 a day if you think most sales were the new iPad). But the number does include demand for the year-old iPad 2. Apple cut the price of the older model by $100 — giving it a starting price of $399 — to win over cost-conscious buyers.
As for the iPhone, Apple may have sold as many as 33 million. The iPhone, which now represents more than half of sales, got a boost from new buyers in China following a distribution deal for the iPhone 4s with China Telecom in early March.
Apple will announce fiscal second quarter results on April 24, and everyone will be listening out for clues as to when the next iPhone — the iPhone 5 — will be released. Gene Munster, of Piper Jaffray, thinks it will be sometime this summer. But he says it almost doesn't make a difference, as customers in the market for a new smartphone will likely wait for Apple's new model instead of buying a rival phone.
"The reality is the "when" question doesn't matter for shares of Apple as we believe consumer demand for the iPhone is captive," Munster wrote in a report last week."Buyers are unlikely to go out to buy a different phone if launch is not until October."
After touching $644 last week, Apple's shares were trading down today at $584.98 at 2:08 p.m. New York time on the Nasdaq.


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During the next few years the U.S. Postal Service will be releasing several pop culture-related stamps featuring icons like John Lennon, Steve Jobs and even Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Washington Post is reporting.
None of the stamp designs have been released yet, that way USPS can create a buzz when it's time for the stamps to become available to the public.
Many of the to-be-featured icons were suggested by the public, and a USPS official told The Post that anyone can leave suggestions on the organization's Facebook page.
Aside from pop and music icons, the series will also feature celebrity...


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Total unit sales of tractors and combines saw another month-over-month decline in September 2013, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers reports in its monthly flash report.
The trend began in June, when total unit sales of tractors (2WD and 4WD) and combines fell to roughly 22,000 units from nearly 25,000 units in the previous month, AEM says. Since that time, unit sales have fallen to about 17,000 units, resembling levels last seen in September 2012. That puts total unit sales slightly above the five-year average.
(Click here to read the full AEM flash report for September 2013.)
For the month of September 2013, total two-wheel drive tractor sales were up roughly 9% compared with data from 2012. Four-wheel-drive tractor sales fell nearly 22%, while combine sales fell nearly 24%.
A year-to-date comparison shows total farm tractor sales are up about 12% and combine sales are up roughly 16%.
For more, visit www.AEM.org.


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General Motors' 2014 Cadillac ELR, displayed at the Cobo Center on Jan. 15, has the same battery and gas-powered generator as GM's Chevrolet Volt. The ELR has angular lights and fenders, resembling other new Cadillacs, but it also has a more forward-leaning aerodynamic look.
The Acura NSX concept car was displayed during a media preview on Jan. 15.
Ford's Atlas concept truck, displayed on Jan. 15, signals changes to Ford's F-150 pickup, which is expected to get a complete overhaul in 2014.
A Mercedes-Benz on Jan. 14.
A Jaguar was displayed on Jan. 14.
A Porsche 911 Cabriolet on Jan. 14.
Nissan displayed its Resonance concept crossover sport-utility vehicle on Jan. 14. The SUV, which has a glass-roof design, isn't scheduled for production.
People visited the Fiat exhibit at the Cobo Center Jan. 14.
The Mini exhibit was open for media previews on Jan. 14.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled one of its E-Class cars at the Cobo Center on Jan. 14.
Infiniti introduced the 2014 Q50 to replace its best-selling G sedan on Jan. 14.
The 2014 Dodge Viper was displayed on Jan. 14.
Ford unveiled the Lincoln MKC prototype, a small crossover utility vehicle built on the same underpinnings as the Ford Escape, on Jan. 14. Jim Farley, the company's global Lincoln brand chief announced that Ford would invest billions of dollars to invigorate the Lincoln brand.
Rupert Stadler, the chief executive of German motor manufacturer Audi, looked over the BMW 4er concept coupe on Jan. 14.
Mike Manley, president and chief executive of Jeep, talked about the new Grand Cherokee on Jan. 14
Wolfgang Schreiber, chairman and chief executive of Bentley, introduced the new Bentley convertible on Jan 14.
BMW unveiled its Z4 sDrive 35is convertible on Jan. 14.
The Toyota Corolla Furia concept car was displayed during the media preview on Jan. 14.
Daimler AG showed its four-cyclinder Mercedes-Benz CLA on Jan. 13. Executives hinted that it could start at just below $30,000.
The Ford Fiesta was displayed as workers set up on Jan. 13.
Workers set up near a car under a red cloth before the start of the auto show.
A worker covered up a Toyota Scion on Jan. 13.


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Samsung Electronics reported that its Galaxy S III smartphone has sold 40 million units in five months, tying the Galaxy S II's total sales. The three Galaxy S models have sold a total of 100 million units for the South Korean phone maker. Samsung was in federal court recently urging all nine members of a U.S. Court of Appeals panel not to ban its Galaxy Nexus phone. That move followed Apple's "en banc" appeal of an October ruling by a three-judge panel that blocked Apple's bid to stop the phones' import for allegedly violating its patents.
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